The landscape of aging

Abstract

Aging is characterized by a progressive deterioration of physiological integrity, leading to impaired functional ability and ultimately increased susceptibility to death. It is a major risk factor for chronic human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological degeneration, and cancer. Therefore, the growing emphasis on “healthy aging” raises a series of important questions in life and social sciences. In recent years, there has been unprecedented progress in aging research, particularly the discovery that the rate of aging is at least partly controlled by evolutionarily conserved genetic pathways and biological processes. In an attempt to bring full-fledged understanding to both the aging process and age-associated diseases, we review the descriptive, conceptual, and interventive aspects of the landscape of aging composed of a number of layers at the cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels.

Aging and aging-related diseases: from molecular mechanisms to interventions and treatments

“…155,157 Senescent cells induce the formation of a complex, multicomponent SASP by secreting a range of cytokines, inflammatory factors, and adhesion factors. 158 In the local microenvironment, the SASP alters the biological behavior of adjacent cells through autocrine and paracrine signaling. 158 For instance, a systemic environment that shapes aging-related diseases has been reported to exist, as the infusion of young cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) improves the memory function of aged brains.…”

“…158 In the local microenvironment, the SASP alters the biological behavior of adjacent cells through autocrine and paracrine signaling. 158 For instance, a systemic environment that shapes aging-related diseases has been reported to exist, as the infusion of young cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) improves the memory function of aged brains. 159 This improvement is mainly mediated by serum response factor (SRF)-mediated oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) proliferation after exposure to young CSF.…”

“…561 However, metformin has obvious side effects, such as abdominal distension and diarrhea. 158 Traditional Chinese medicines such as Bazi Bushen have been shown to regulate aging and treat atherosclerosis through antilipid, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic mechanisms. 562 Berberine (BBR) is an alkaloid derived from plants with antiinflammatory and lipid-regulatory properties, making it a potential therapeutic candidate for atherosclerosis.…”

A single-cell transcriptomic atlas of exercise-induced anti-inflammatory and geroprotective effects across the body

“…Moreover, investigations stand to identify age-associated underlying molecular processes mediating the beneficial effects of exercise, which in turn might help inform the development of strategies that promote healthy aging. 19 , 20 …”

Lineage Landscape: a comprehensive database that records lineage commitment across species

“…Aging regulation is considered to utilize, at least part of the molecular mechanisms that control lineage determination and differentiation, as well as maintenance of cell identities in organogenesis and maturation during development, as some of which continued throughout the adult life ( 42–44 ). Recent studies have shown that some lineage-specific factors or genes during embryogenesis are repurposed in aging, suggesting an intrinsic link between lineage differentiation and aging ( 11 ).…”